The People’s National Congress Party has been the talk of the day during the 2017 election campaign period.
Despite, their policies on free education and free health care programs, its clear many of the literate public are skeptical, thinking critically whether the policies have actually worked effectively during the last five years.
The campaign period was not all smooth sailing for the PNC Party; it had its dramatic moments, starting with the cancelation of the launching of a new state of the art Operating theatre at the Popondetta General Hospital.
A situation which arose after outspoken Governor of Oro Province Garry Juffa along with leader of the opposition Don Polye invited themselves to the rally. They were of the view that the health service should not be used by the PNC Party for political point scoring. Given that it was a project initiated during the Somare governments reigns.
In Manus the Provincial Police commander sent out a press release stating a peaceful campaign rally during the Prime Ministers campaign rally for its PNC Candidate and Governor for Manus Charlie Benjamin. However reports from locals on the ground told a different story. Things got a bit rowdy when members of the public wanted to ask questions to the Prime Minister but were refused.
However the most recent rally in Tari, Hela Province, was the most talked about when reported reached the pages of social media.
Police had to use force after a rowdy crowd disrupted the rally.
The rally was led by O’Neill and his PNC Hela candidates, with the incumbent member for Tari-Pori and Finance Minister James Marape.
Reports on the ground say the Prime Minister was quickly whisked to safety when the crowd started throwing stones at each other, forcing the police to fire teargas.
The Hela Provincial Police Commander, Michael Welly, confirmed the reports.
However, according to a statement by Marape, he alleged that the move was instigated by Opposition leader and incumbent Kandep MP Don Polye’s supporters to disrupt the Rally.
Marape said only weeks after the childish cap burning incident by Don Polye and Robert Mai supporters in Tari, the same supporters, led by intoxicated youths, attempted to disrupt the rally on June 21.
“This failed attempted violent interruption was seeded by hatred that the opposition leader delivered in his speech when he was last in Tari.
“I strongly condemn the language that Don Polye used in his speech in Tari, that has only incited people to commit violence.”
However, Polye has denied inciting any form of violence in Hela during the PNC campaign rally.
"I do not incite violence. Had I done so, why would our people of Eastern Highlands have disrupted a PNC party-sponsored rally in Goroka town? Polye questioned.
Polye said the resentment shown by the people of Eastern Highlands against the ruling People’s National Congress Party was an embarrassment.
He said the disruption at the rally for EHP Governor Julie Soso speaks volumes and challenged Prime Minister Peter O’Neill not to water down people’s anger.
In response to Polye’s statement, O’Neill told Loop PNG earlier that the disturbance was caused by a few people under the influence of alcohol.
“People sat down and listened for over 45 minutes of my speech.
“Our supporters were in the thousands there, stop focusing on a few paid and drunk disrupters,” O’Neill said.
Meanwhile, the campaign period will end today as people are preparing to cast their votes starting tomorrow.
Picture courtesy of PNC Facebook page